MLB News

Pence leads Giants' 'Game of Thrones' fandom

By
Jonathan Hawthorne

July 20, 2017

SAN FRANCISCO -- Like it has across the Majors this season, the "Game of Thrones" wave has officially hit AT&T Park.For Thursday's series opener against the Padres, the Giants held a Game of Thrones night, offering in-game themed entertainment and a special-event ticket package. Fans with those tickets received a

SAN FRANCISCO -- Like it has across the Majors this season, the "Game of Thrones" wave has officially hit AT&T Park.For Thursday's series opener against the Padres, the Giants held a Game of Thrones night, offering in-game themed entertainment and a special-event ticket package. Fans with those tickets received a Game of Thrones-themed Hunter Pence bobblehead, and VIP package holders also got a canvas print of the right fielder atop the Iron Throne. Season 7 of the popular HBO show debuted this week.It's only fitting that Pence was at the center of the promotion, teammate Cory Gearrin said."He got me into it," Gearrin said. "I think he kind of takes the cake on being up to date on Game of Thrones."

Last year, Pence had a group of teammates over to screen the show when Season 6 debuted. From then, Gearrin was hooked. Like Pence, Gearin and his wife, Maddi, watch the series religiously. Gearrin said he was eager to add the Pence-themed bobblehead to his growing collection.Pence and his wife, Alexis, took over the Giants' Snapchat account Thursday to plug the special event.

"That's her happy place," Pence said. "She's having so much fun putting the camera in my face, putting filters on me and making me look like a goofball. But it's been a really fun morning and week for us."It's pretty epic in my world right now."Gearrin said he appreciates all that his club does to connect pop culture with baseball."It's the little stuff," Gearrin said. "I love the Bruce Lee night here, too. They just do stuff that a lot of stadiums don't have to keep it relevant for fans and players."Even Giants manager Bruce Bochy joined in on the fun, too. He's watched a few episodes thanks to a recommendation from team broadcaster Duane Kuiper.After San Francisco's come-from-behind win Wednesday, Bochy conducted his normal news conference from atop an Iron Throne replica, but noted that those who often sit on the throne are killed off during the show's plot. His joke drew lots of laughter."It's comfortable," Bochy said with a laugh. "It's not iron like you think. It's plastic. We had fun with it."